This is a math problem I would ask my students; if it is 8:45a.m. here, what time is it in Australia if they are 15 hours ahead of us? Sadly, it would take almost 15-20 minutes for most of the students to answer, including my college math students who are in my tutorial program. They literally freak out when it comes to word problems.

Pleasant Good morning one and all great way to start the week Dudette is ‘back’ and on the mend, FLOTUS is still 50 and fabulous and TODall is right with the world

On a politics note, been reading and following the Christie mess and these are my thoughts..I am glad he won the election, if he hadn’t won this mess may have never seen the light of day…now he can’t run or hide, what goes around comes around and harder..as the leader his fall will be great and hopefully it shakes out a few more honest politicians to run for office…I don’t think we have seen the half of this mess as yet..all his chickens will be coming home to roost and their egg will be all over him..Republicans are just dishonest and despicable, the honest ones either leave the party or forever have their heads hanging in shame..a pity as they can be great again

He just spent another 5 minutes blowing kisses to Christie; saying how Christie changed New Jersey and he will come out of this stronger and even better. They turn their heads when it’s a repuke, and beat the President down 24/7 over a computer glitch conspiracy, go figure. They are all about power and cover ups.

This type of person is the prime reason why the Mayor didn’t come out months ago and complain about the Gov &/or Lt Governor – she would have been politically assassinated as this man tried to do this morning. He also attacked MSNBC – the GOP send out their talking points and every person involved follows those points.

I feel sorry for the Mayor of Hoboken; knowing what was wrong, worried about the people she represents, and trying to do what is in the best interest of the people.

It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to see that this was a shake down; award the land to our people and you get your money, they haven’t received the money from the “Sandy fund” that was promised. 1 + 1 still = 2. Most of the money has come from other places. Now, it’s all about when President Obama release more funds. It never freaking fails, how the repukes drag the President’s name in their mess.

GM, Chips, got so involved in the last thread that I missed the opening of this one. On the Christie mess, his offensive against the media was completely predictable. Everyone who knows him said he would start becoming aggressive again after his little apology moment at the press conference. A lot of spittle will fly in NJ and all sorts of little retributions will occur. The Dems who’ve been harassed need to stick together and hold strong against the retribution onslaught. The rest of us need to exercise patience and focus Congress back on the bills they need to pass, especially the UI extension. As I mentioned many times, it took a long, long time for the Nixon fiasco to unroll. There were long weeks and months when I thought that he would skate by on his righteous indignation and denials of guilt. But the wheels of fate were set in motion and he couldn’t avoid their impact in the end.

I do agree Jackie – but it is so hard to turn off – when there are people like the GOP assemblyman on msnbc singing the praises of the most charismatic man to ever enter politics – I wonder what the Christie admin has promised him?

As I mentioned above – the latest GOP – attack the Mayor and MSNBC – and every one of them will do it. They will keep screaming until the Mayor resigns and the MSNBC pundits are told to shut up, apologize or lose their jobs.

The inquiries have to continue and the media have to keep reporting this – or Christie will just keep doing it – with that great bipartisan support.

Times are different now. With instant media and 24×7 cable noise and social media, things won’t be trickling down any more. I say we use this opportunity to show voters how christie is the real thuggish face of gop and make them think before they vote.

It’s really hard to have patience with all of this, it’s unfolding like some type of mob shakedown, totally disgusting. In every case, sadly, it’s the people who are being hurt. The Dems help create this “monster” and many of them knew what he was. I suspect money changed hands along the way. The “love of the almighty dollar” is the root of much evil.

I never understood why they didn’t raise their voices when Christie cost the state $12,000,000.00 to have separate voting days in order to keep booker off the same ballot with him. The people did not scream about this. It just seems that they have gone along with him no matter what he was doing, as it relates to wrong doing. I guess we get what we vote for-even when it’s against our best interest.

Cindy, we can’t save the people of NJ–they made that bed. What we have to do at this point is make sure Christie is NEVER a national candidate. Let’s keep our focus on that one goal–limiting the damage he can do to one state. I have always believed the Christie style is limited to the unique temperament and geography of his state. Despite all the GOP dreams about his charisma and charm, Christie won’t translate well anywhere else. At this point it really doesn’t matter what Republican spokespeople and media say. The right wing bias and the banding together were inevitable, just as they were with Nixon, who was one of the most vindictive guys on the planet. But the die is cast. The subpoenas and the testimonies will pile up and damn him. The seeds of doubt and mistrust have been sewn. And all the king’s horses and all the king’s men, plus all the bluster and threats in the world, won’t put his reputation back together again.

I love your stamina, you are so correct in your analysis on this. I have to remove myself from Jersey and look at the whole. He is here in Florida with our slime ball of a Governor; birds of a feather flocking together. However, Scott would not allow any public pictures of the two together-wonder why?

I think he is going to be eaten alive by his own if he runs, never making it out of the primaries, the repukes knows how to eat their own.

Good morning, TOD.
My take on what is passing for news these days in the NY Times.
As much as possible President Obama is ignored. If POTUS is mentioned it is to criticize him and his administration.
As much as possible Mayor Bill de Blasio is ignored. If the Mayor is mentioned it is to criticize him and his City Council.

At the same time the horrendous Christie news is handled as lightly as possible.
Mitt Romney’s RICO charges are noticeably absent.

Will the NY Times start covering more actual news or will their readership continue to shrink as will the advertising dollars they attract?

That’s their choice. A gossip rag like The Enquirer for the rich or a return to their status as the newspaper of record.

Good morning lovely TOD. As you know, I rarely comment; with a full time job and the birth of my first grandchild as well as many other time consuming activities my fear is that I will be considered rude if I miss a reply. I do try to to keep up with all the wonderful, inspirationall, informative and just plain fun posts by the incomparable BTs at this beautiful haven Ms Chips has graciously provided.

I felt compelled to share with you the thoughts of a lmember of my extended family. He’s a Republican and is in the Secret Service. He has not yet had POTUSdetail, did when he was running in 2008, but has had FLOTUSdetail and I believe he may be coming around and ready to leave the dark side. I spent some time with him over the holidays and he sang the Michelle’s praises. He told me she is very genuine, considerate and incredibly kind. Just a down to earth, beautiful person, inside and out. He will be transferred to Washington in a couple of years and offered to have one of my books signed by POTUS!

Carry on, lovely TODers….and may I add that this is one of the most caring and polite online communities I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Oh, and has anyone heard from Dudette? Been increasingly concerned about her lack of presence here and on twitter.

Mela, it was donna dem 4 obama who made the connection and delivered the “GREAT” news to everyone; truly a relief for the TOD universe.

So many prayers went forth for Dudette; what greater blessing, than to receive prayers, words of encouragement, genuine concerns and love from those we know, but above all, from strangers who we don’t know.

I believe that is was the outpouring of all of the above that made it happen, and with a fabulous ending. When all hope is gone, prayer still changes things.

Good morning 99ts, it’s true, she is so precious. She will be a year old next month and I am having a birthday party for her :) sadly, her parents are not together and the mother loves to create drama and make life miserable for my son. It has been a bittersweet experience , not without much heartache but when that sweet angel smiles and hugs me I can swear it is pure love. For both of us.

I hadn’t considered that., thank you for pointing it out. I will make an effort to post anything I believe may be of interest. I love this community and have been impressed by the depth of knowledge, inspired by the support for our incomparable President and touched by this amazing community many times. I will do my best to reciprocate.

Guess we are going to see if Chris Christie has as much power as Sarah Palin when it comes to getting pundits fired – because his office is trying to make this all about MSNBC – as are Christie’s legislative friends.

I’ve seen afew of the guests at FLOTUS birthday party last night, and yes Beynonce perform, John Legend sung Happy Birthday. Ledsisi was there, Jennefer Hudson perform. Magic Johnson, Samuel Jackson, Al Roker, Smokey Robinson, James Taylor, Rev. Al, Tom Joyner, Gayle king, just to name a few. But I heard what stole the show was the President toast to the First Lady. If my invitation got lost in the mail, I am suing the Post Office.

I am happy to know that they had a ball without the press. With Tom Joyner in the House, I am sure that it was filled with fun and laughter. Mr. Joyner loves the 1st family and I love to hear him when he talks about the President on his show, he genuinely loves them.

I wonder if the “electric slide” was performed. I have yet to attend a wedding reception, and or dinner party; whereby, someone didn’t hit the floor with the electric slide : ) , a dance that will never go out of style for the oldie goldies.

The TJMS Honors First Lady Michelle Obama on Her Birthday! The Tom Joyner Morning Show celebrates the 50th birthday of First Lady Michelle Obama in this beautiful tribute which recognizes all of her contributions to the world with the “soundtrack of her life.” Audio –